Layzej writes: Research from the Met Office has shed new light on a link between decadal solar variability and winter climate in the UK, northern Europe and parts of America. In years of low UV activity unusually cold air forms over the tropics in the stratosphere, about 50km up. This is balanced by more easterly flow of air over the mid latitudes — a pattern which then 'burrows' its way down to the surface, bringing easterly winds and cold winters to northern Europe. When solar UV output is higher than usual, the opposite occurs and there are strong westerlies which bring warm air and hence milder winters to Europe.

Sarah Ineson, who performed the experiments, said: "What we're seeing is UV levels affecting the distribution of air masses around the Atlantic basin. This causes a redistribution of heat — so while Europe and the US may be cooler, Canada and the Mediterranean will be warmer, and there is little direct impact on global temperatures."

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